GSA Technology Council

Immedion Names Kurt Hazel as Director of Operations and Engineering in Greenville

ImmedionImmedion LLC, a premiere provider of data center services including colocation, cloud services and managed services, is pleased to announce the hiring of Kurt Hazel as Director of Operations and Engineering. Immedion currently has four locations in Greenville, Columbia and Charleston, SC as well as Asheville, NC. Kurt will responsible for the day-to-day operations in the Greenville location.

Kurt has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. Prior to joining Immedion, he worked as the Manager of East Coast IT for RealPage in Greer, SC. Kurt holds a degree from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

Immedion COO Rob Moser said, “Kurt is a welcome addition to our operations and engineering team. His exceptional technology background will be a great asset as we deliver IT solutions that meet our customers’ needs.”

via Immedion

Upstate Tech Events this Week

TUESDAY JUNE 18
5:30pm Tech After Five in Asheville
Tech After Five returns to Hickory Tavern for a 100% free tech professional networking event in Asheville.
Learn more: Tech After Five in Asheville

6:00pm GSP Developers Guild
The GSP Developers Guild hosts a discussion with web applications developer, Jonathan Peterson on ASP.NET SignalR for thier May meeting.
Learn more: GSP Developers Guild

7:00pm PC User Group
The Greenville PC User Group meets monthly to discuss PC problems, solutions, hardware, software, networking and security issues based on Windows operating systems.
Learn more: Upstate Carolina PC User Group

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19
5:30pm Tech After Five Greenville
Join Ta5 as they celebrate reaching 183 networking events for tech entrepreneurs and professionals at the Carolina Ale House in downtown Greenville.
Learn more: Tech After Five or RSVP Now

See more on the GSATC Tech Calendar

James Theodore Joins the KTM Solutions Engineering Staff

KTM SolutionsJames Theodore “TJ” recently joined the KTM Solutions engineering staff as a mechanical engineer supporting all engineering product lines. However, TJ is not new to KTM Solutions.

“TJ began working with us almost six years ago as a high school student. As a participant in our formal Mechanical Design apprenticeship program, TJ is expected become our first to complete our four year program.” says Paul V. Kumler, President, KTM Solutions.

In May 2013, TJ earned his mechanical engineering degree at Clemson University and will receive his Mechanical Design apprenticeship certificate from KTM Solutions in June.

“This is what it’s all about, growing our own engineering talent right here in South Carolina.” Kumler continues.

KTM provides engineering services to the aerospace, automotive, and machine/automation industries. The company anticipates continued increases in all technical services.

via KTM Solutions

EDTS Earns Key Information Technology Security Credential

EDTS, a full-service technology consulting firm specializing in networking, security and managed services support solutions for Southeastern businesses, announced that it has received the CompTIA Verified Security Trustmark for its use of industry-accepted IT security best practices.

The CompTIA Verified Security Trustmark demonstrates that EDTS utilizes the security processes identified by the IT industry as generally accepted best practices, and has been evaluated by an independent third-party assessor as meeting the CompTIA Security Trustmark’s rigorous criteria.

“The CompTIA Security Trustmark signifies that EDTS adheres to the industry’s highest standards for security practices and business processes in critical areas including data protection, personnel security and access management,” said Nancy Hammervik, senior vice president, industry relations, CompTIA. “Earning the Verified level demonstrates a true commitment to address the challenges of security compliance facing industry today.”

Independent assessment of EDTS security policies, capabilities, practices, and processes included evaluation of:

• Security technologies, including firewalls, anti-Virus/ malware/ spyware and intrusion detection
• Vulnerability assessment detection
• Data encryption
• Technical employee knowledge/expertise
• Security clearances and background checks
• Physical and hardware security

CompTIA is the recognized voice of the world’s information technology industry. As a non-profit trade association advancing the global interests of IT professionals and companies, CompTIA is a recognized authority for IT education and credentials and primary advocate for IT businesses and workers.

In announcing the recognition, John Tippett, chief operating officer of EDTS, noted: “All of us at EDTS are proud to have obtained this credential, which assures clients that EDTS is capable of providing them with the highest level of security services. It’s also proof that EDTS is committed to keeping our customers’ organizations running at the highest levels of performance and efficiency.”

via EDTS

Spinx Pushes Forward with New Mobile App

NCR Corporation NCR Corporation, the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, announced today that the Greenville based Spinx Company will deploy NCR ConvenienceGo (C-Go) mobile shopping technology to make fueling and shopping at the chain of convenience stores easier. Spinx, which operates stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, will roll out C-Go to 57 of its stores.

ConvenienceGoC-Go is a mobile shopping app which allows shoppers to initiate a fuel transaction, select the amount of gas they want and pay with their smartphones. The mobile technology will be customized to match Spinx’s brand image, colors and unique guidelines. C-Go also eliminates the need for shoppers to carry a key-fob loyalty card as the C-Go app updates and stores each shopper’s loyalty information and passes that information to the fuel pump automatically. This allows shoppers to easily get any loyalty discounts or other benefits they are entitled to receive.

Spinx“Spinx is always looking for new and technologically advanced ways to make our customers’ lives easier,” says Steve Spinks, president and chief executive officer of The Spinx Co. “We’re looking forward to launching the new Spinx Xtras app which will provide our loyal customers with a more convenient method for redeeming gas discounts and paying for the purchase, all through the use of their mobile phones.”

“Mobile technology is the next frontier in convenience shopping and is enabling today’s consumers to get what they want quickly and easily,” said NCR Vice President and General Manager of Grocery and Convenience Stores Jimmy Frangis. “Spinx is at the forefront of mobile shopping with its innovative C-Go deployment. As shoppers embrace the technology, Spinx will be well positioned to reap the benefits of increased shopper loyalty and more repeat visits.”

Green Cloud Expands in Five New Markets

Green CloudGreen Cloud Technologies (Green Cloud), a cloud technology solutions provider headquartered in Greenville, S.C., has expanded into five new markets with offices in Miami, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., New Orleans, La., Raleigh, N.C. and Charlotte, N.C.

These new office locations, along with Green Cloud’s existing locations in Greenville, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Nashville, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla., will market Green Cloud’s portfolio of cloud-based IT solutions to channel partners and small and medium-sized businesses.

In addition to opening five new offices, Green Cloud announced the hiring of five national channel managers. Each channel manager will focus on sales of the company’s Server Restoration and Recovery, Virtual Server and Virtual PBX solutions through recruiting and engaging sales partners in these new markets.

Trina Gray, hired as national channel manager, will be based out of the Atlanta, Ga. office. Prior to joining Green Cloud, Gray served as senior channel manager at Earthlink. She also served in district sales and channel management for Windstream (formerly NuVox Communications) where she was a seven-time President’s Club recipient. Gray holds a bachelor of science degree from St. Cloud State University.

Green Cloud also named Laura Cope as national channel manager serving Charlotte, N.C. and surrounding areas. Prior to joining Green Cloud, Cope served as district dealer manager for Windstream (formerly NuVox Communications) where she was responsible for recruiting and training dealers and partners. Cope was frequently recognized for her sales achievements including a President’s Club 2005 selection. She holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Shayne Davenport was hired as national channel manager for the Raleigh, N.C. region. Davenport previously served as senior business development manager at Cohesion Corporation and senior account manager at Birch Communications. Davenport holds a bachelor of art degree in communications from East Carolina University.

“By providing customers with the level of service and support they deserve, this team has built strong long-term relationships with channel partners in the region,” says Dan Sterling, president of Green Cloud Technologies. “They have earned the reputation of being leaders in the industry and are a great addition to the Green Cloud team.”

via Green Cloud Technologies

Upstate Tech Events this Week

MONDAY JUNE 10
6:30pm Greenville Mac Users Group
Greenville MUG meets once a month to share tips, discuss the latest news and enjoy the company of other Macintosh Users.
Learn more: Greenville Mac Users Group

TUESDAY JUNE 11
6:30pm Upstate Linux Users Group
UCLUG gathers every second Tuesday to talk about Linux and other Unix-based operating systems, and free and open source software.
Learn more: Upstate Carolina Linux Users Group

WEDNESDAY JUNE 12
11:30am GSATC Learning Lunch
Join us for our next Learning Lunch with guest speaker MChad Hardaway, Technology Commercialization Consultant with the SCSBDC, as he presents, “How to Get $1 Million in Government Funding for Your Tech Startup.”
Learn more: GSATC Learning Lunch

THURSDAY JUNE 13
12:00pm Radio: Your Day
Listen to us live on the radio on any of the NPR stations in South Carolina or streaming live at the Your Day website

6:30pm Greenville Java Users Group
Java enthusiasts and developers meet monthly on the second Thursdays.
Learn more: Greenville Java Users Group

See more on the GSATC Tech Calendar

Small Business Access to Capital Act Passes

Greenville ChamberThe final steps were taken to pass the High Growth Small Business Access to Capital Act (H.3505) on Wednesday evening by a vote 94-10 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. The legislation has been sent to the Governor’s Office, and is awaiting signature.

Greenville Chamber and Upstate Chamber Coalition lobbyists, together with NEXT entrepreneurs and allies, have been advocating this bill since its introduction as the Bill Wylie Entrepreneurship Act in 2011 in efforts to attract and retain both investors and entrepreneurial talent here in South Carolina. According to Greenville Chamber Executive Vice President and head of NEXT John Moore, “Early-stage, high-growth companies are major drivers of quality job growth and wealth in our state. By providing tax credits to those who invest in these new ventures, South Carolina is enabling its most promising young businesses to compete more effectively with companies in other states for capital necessary to grow and become significant employers for the state.”

Matt DunbarThe passage of this legislation marks an important day for the economic future of South Carolina.

Matt Dunbar, Managing Director of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network, notes that, “The passage of this legislation marks an important day for the economic future of South Carolina. Entrepreneurs and startup companies create all the net job growth in our state and nation, yet in South Carolina they face a daunting challenge in finding access to early stage capital. Today, less than half a percent of the state’s residents eligible to invest in high-growth startup companies are allocating capital to support these firms. This legislation will encourage potential angel investors to provide our entrepreneurs with the capital they need to create jobs, grow companies and fuel the economic future of our state.”

Approximately 25 other states have passed similar legislation, including Georgia and North Carolina, and have provided data to demonstrate that these programs are effective in attracting capital, growing jobs, and ultimately creating economic growth and revenue for the state. Dunbar notes, “South Carolina’s version of the legislation is unique in that the state will recover the value of the tax credit when an investor realizes a capital gain from an investment, so it’s truly a win-win-win for entrepreneurs, the state, and the communities where these startup firms will have the chance to grow and prosper.”

A top priority of the Greenville Chamber’s Legislative Agenda is to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide economic development plan that focuses on creating jobs of the future, business retention, and incentives for high-growth companies. According to Greenville Chamber and Upstate Chamber Coalition lead lobbyist Mark Cothran, “This bill is ultimately about entrepreneurs – helping them find access to extremely scarce capital so they can build successful businesses – creating jobs, wealth and long-term benefits for all South Carolinians. This week, our state legislature took a huge step in leveling the playing field. We look forward to continuing to work with our elected officials to ensure the continued development of a highly competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

via Greenville Chamber

Web Design Firm, Full Media Opens Greenville Office

Full Media proudly announces the opening of its third office in Greenville, S.C. Located at 101 West Camperdown Way, Full Media will offer a high level of expertise and service in web design, content management and e-commerce solutions, Internet marketing, search engine marketing, paid search services, social media and online public relations. Founded in 2008, Full Media also has offices in Gainesville, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Full Media CEO Kris Nordholz stated, “We are extremely excited about our move into the Greenville community, and we look forward to providing affordable, results-driven Internet marketing services to businesses that have not traditionally had access to it.”

He added, “As a vibrant city, Greenville is full of businesses that want to utilize the Internet as part of their overall growth strategy. Our goal is to help them accomplish that.”

With experienced team members in Greenville, Full Media is committed to building long-term relationships with clients and helping them grow their businesses through a more effective use of the Internet.

via Full Media

New Job Posted: Director of eCommerce Wanted

Help WantedDirector of eCommerce Optimization
Blue Acorn is currently looking for a Director of eCommerce Optimization to attract and optimize online services.

General Manager for Cross Functional Agile Team
Blue Acorn is currently looking for a GM to lead their Cross Functional Agile Team to even greater success.

Recent job postings:
ITSTECThe Blood Connection, Inc.
Software DeveloperStark RFID

Preview more open positions on the GSATC jobs board. We encourage you to share it with anyone who may be in the hunt. If you are looking for work, feel free to let us know what you need on our LinkedIn group!

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